Ilse Huizinga - Easy To Idolize

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:03
Size: 135,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:07)  1. That's All
(2:08)  2. The Sound Of Music
(3:00)  3. I Only Have Eyes For You
(5:04)  4. Willow Weep For Me
(2:50)  5. The Thrill Is Gone
(2:48)  6. Skylark
(3:48)  7. Easy To Love
(2:37)  8. Someday My Prince Will Come
(3:58)  9. Time After Time
(2:21) 10. Isn't It Romantic
(4:11) 11. The Nearness Of You
(2:20) 12. I'm A Fool To Want You
(2:57) 13. When You Wish Upon A Star
(3:16) 14. All The Things You Are
(3:19) 15. Somewhere - Over The Rainbow
(3:38) 16. A Child Is Born
(1:53) 17. I Love You
(3:06) 18. The Man I Love
(1:33) 19. What'll I Do

Leading newspapers in the Netherlands describe Ilse Huizinga as one of the most distinguished of the new generation of Dutch jazz singers. From the very beginning of her career with the release of her first album Out Of A Dream (1997) to her most recent Easy To Idolize (2003), media and audiences have spoken highly of her. Numerous articles, interviews and appearances on radio and television followed and connected her to a diverse and broad audience. She performed in Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, France and England. An old piano drew Ilse to music and at the tender age of six she received her first piano lessons. She took up singing lessons as a teenager and discovered the music and albums of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Abbey Lincoln. Although her passion was aroused she decided against a career in music and enrollend in the University of Amsterdam to graduate in Public Administration. As a student however, she regularly took part in open mike nights at the famous jazz club Casablanca, in the heart of the Amsterdam Red Light District. Then and there she decided to follow her heart and become a professional jazz singer. 

Ilse went on to study at the Amsterdam Music Conservatory and performed in many venues in the Netherlands. On stage she met pianist/composer Erik van der Luijt, whom she married in 1998. Together they produce Ilse's four albums to date. Ilse and Erik have a daughter, Ellen, born in 2000. What others say: “A voice of which other singers only dream: full, clear and sensitive...” Nouveau “One of the most distinguished of the new generation of Dutch jazz singers. In the titlesong we get genuine coloratura, in This Can't Be Love she manages to fit entire octaves in a single syllable - great that the poignang lyrics meanwhile never suffer...” De Volkskrant “La Huizinga exhibits the hallmarks of a diva in the making. We are getting to know her better and better as one of the leading Dutch jazz singers...” http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/ilsehuizinga

Easy To Idolize

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Eight To The Bar - Behind the Eight Ball

Styles: Swing, R&B
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:45
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:09)  1. I'm Trumpin'
(3:55)  2. Party Life
(3:38)  3. Twistin' in the Wind
(3:21)  4. If My Mama Could See Me Now
(3:52)  5. All Talk No Action
(2:50)  6. I Want to Rock
(3:47)  7. Jump, Jive and Wail
(5:05)  8. Better Luck Next Time
(3:00)  9. Hold Tight
(3:57) 10. Them There Eyes
(3:10) 11. Ain't That Love
(1:54) 12. Nagasaki

A mix of mostly uptempo swing with lots of vocal harmonies and a few bluesy, more "West Coast" style tunes.

"Behind the Eight Ball" is our edgiest, most high energy swing CD! From the breathless pace of the opening, "I'm Trumpin'", to the final scat notes of the CDs closer, "Nagasaki", the CD is thrill packed with excitement. The band's classic "Twistin' in the Wind" tells the universal musicians' story of all the things that can go wrong at one gig, and guitarist Tommy Whalen's "Better Luck Next Time" adds his trademark blues influence to the disc. Lovers of Collin Tilton's tenor saxophone will appreciate the depth and breadth of his style, especially his soulful solo on Ray Charles' "Ain't That Love". If you're looking for swing that drives, this CD will satisfy you. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Eight-Ball-Bar/dp/B00000I7FL
 

Personnel: Tommy Whalen (vocals, guitar); Cynthia Lyon (vocals, piano, organ); P.J. Plenninger (vocals, drums); Zanny Gaudet (vocals, percussion); Michael Corsini (vocals); Collin Tilton (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone).

Behind the Eight Ball

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Junko Onishi - Musical Moments

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:24
Size: 150,0 MB
Art: Front

( 5:29)  1. Hat And Beard
( 3:39)  2. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
( 7:21)  3. Back In The Days
( 6:17)  4. Bittersweet
( 5:34)  5. Ill Wind
( 8:11)  6. Musical Moments
( 4:37)  7. Something Sweet, Something Tender
( 4:36)  8. G. W.
( 3:15)  9. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
(16:20) 10. So Long Eric, Mood Indigo, Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me

With the release of her 1993 Blue Note debut Cruisin', pianist Junko Onishi arrived as one of the most promising of Japan-born jazz musicians. Growing up in Tokyo, Onishi received classical piano lessons but became quite interested in jazz. She studied at Berklee and after three years moved to New York. Already a well-developed player, Onishi worked with Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, Kenny Garrett, and Mingus Dynasty before recording her debut as a leader. She considers her style to be based on Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Ornette Coleman; her other recordings from the '90s include 1994's Live at the Village Vanguard, 1995's Piano Quintet Suite, and 1999's Fragile. After Fragile, Onishi took a break from releasing albums to focus on developing her music. She returned over ten years later with 2009's Musical Moments. She followed that up a year later with her 2010 Verve debut, Baroque, which featured several Onishi originals as well as interpretations of some 20th century classical pieces, including "The Three Penny Opera." Bio ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/junko-onishi-mn0000307945/biography

Personnel: Junko Onishi – Piano; Yosuke Inoue – Bass; Gene Jackson – Drums; Reginald Veal – Bass (#10); Herlin Riley – Drums (#10)

Musical Moments

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Deanna Kirk - Lost In Languid Love Songs

Size: 119,8 MB
Time: 51:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I Wanna Be Loved (5:02)
02. Until It's Time For You To Go (4:33)
03. Once Upon A Summertime (4:59)
04. Summer Me, Winter Me (4:59)
05. Wouldn't It Be Loverly (2:47)
06. Gentle Rain (4:10)
07. These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You (5:24)
08. Song For Old Lovers (6:11)
09. They Say It's Wonderful (4:35)
10. Don't Look Back (2:26)
11. Labor Of Love (1:42)
12. Skylark (4:30)

If Deanna Kirk were not such a gifted singer, she's probably have made a damn good hypnotist. The mesmerizing sound of her lovely, feathery, voice—ethereal and yet conversationally phrased with naturalness—and the way she spins a lyric and creates a mood pulls you into the spells she casts. Images presented in the bonus track of the standard "Skylark" could paint a picture of the tender, fragile, lovelorn environs and personae she creates: "faint as the will o' the wisp"; "a meadow in the mist where someone's longing to be kissed"; "a blossom-covered lane." Rare is the song stylist who can paint such vivid yet elusive scenes with such specificity in the way she colors and intones even the most well-known words. A wistful sigh crystallizes the pang of a much-missed treasured romantic memory in "Once Upon a Summertime" and one can see clearly through the mist and tears the many sentiment-drenched items in the list song "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)." Yes, Lost in Languid Love Songs is a perfect title for this moody, brooding collection that immerses itself in longing and liquid dreaminess.

Deanna, a gifted jazz-influenced vocalist who seems to disappear for long stretches of time, caught my attention years ago with one of the earliest of her several albums and I was delighted to find her also re-emerging for some live Manhattan gigs in the last year or two. She's a captivating and unique in-person presence with very much her own presentation style and stance, and her gamine image and the (broken) heart on her sleeve come through—just through—her sweet and well-calibrated voice.

Most tracks have an element of sorrow; clouds seem poised to come into rain, and silver linings appear in them when things get gloomy. It never gets too weepy or wailing, as she has her own point of keeping on the communicative, storytelling side of the fence rather crossing over to play the "poor me" card. There's a grown-up kind of acknowledgment and acceptance of the struggles and pains that come with the territory called love and life. Annie Get Your Gun's "They Say It's Wonderful" is re-shaped to allow a more experienced point of view—not a first-timer at romance, but someone waiting for one of her romantic adventures to have a happier ending. You can get that in the way she implies the word "or" in the lyric's line, "so they say." Another show tune is the lightest/brightest spot, emotionally, with "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from My Fair Lady getting some respite from gloom and doom as the character drifts into her reverie about a warm, comfy place. It gets its playfulness quotient.

The musicians are first rate. Pianist-arranger John di Martino provides attentive, simpatico settings that embrace the storylines of the material caringly and carefully. Though he's a prodigiously skilled jazzman who can be very cerebral, fleet in side trip improvisations, he's more reserved and cinematically sketching here. Joined by the excellent bassist Neil Miner and superb sax player Harry Allen (who gets many tasty moments that add much flavor), the band is completed with the percussion players Manolo Badrena and sensitive drummer Tim Horner. The playing throughout is same-page thoughtful and resonant with the exquisite vocals.

The only way Lost in Languid Love Songs loses its way is in the credits, with several songwriter credits having spelling errors or being incomplete. But there's no sense of incompleteness or inattentiveness with the way these languid love songs, a rewarding world to be willingly lost in. ~Rob Lester

Lost In Languid Love Songs

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Zim Ngqawana - Greatest Moments Of Zim Ngqawana

Size: 127,8 MB
Time: 54:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: World Fusion
Art: Front

01. Qula Kwedini (4:19)
02. Tafelberg Carnival Samba (6:13)
03. Umzi Watsha (5:49)
04. Mozambique (4:09)
05. Long Waltz To Freedom (3:27)
06. Man And Woman (Duality Of Life) (4:36)
07. Old Blues (Early Harmonic Devices) (4:49)
08. The Widow (4:26)
09. Two To Tangle (Challenges Of Life) (3:10)
10. Unyangantathu (4:37)
11. Transformation (6:46)
12. Usizi Emnqamlezweni (2:20)

Zim Ngqawana is one of South Africa's leading jazz musicians. In addition to leading his own band, Ingoma, Ngqawana has played with such influential jazz musicians as Max Roach, Keith Tippett, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Hugh Masakela and with top-notch modern dance ensembles, the Free Flight Dance Company and the Moving Into Dance Company. South African daily newspaper the Star referred to Ngqawana as "the most visible, hardest working, younger man in jazz."

The youngest of five children, Ngqawana didn't begin playing the flute until the age of 21. He advanced quickly on the instrument. Although he left school before completing the university entrance requirements, his obvious talents enabled him to be accepted to Rhodes University. He subsequently earned a diploma in jazz studies from the University of Natal. While performing with the University of Natal's jazz ensemble, the Jazzanians, at the International Association of Jazz Educator's convention, he attracted the attention of American jazz musicians Max Roach and Wynton Marsalis. With their encouragement and support, he received a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts, where he studied with Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef.

Returning to South Africa, Ngqawana performed with bands led by Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masakela. In 1995, Ngqawana toured North America with his band, Ingoma, featuring pianist Andile Yenana. Ngqawana recorded his first two solo albums, San Song and Zimology, in Oslo, Norway, with Yenana and Norwegian musicians Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on bass and Paal Nilssan-Love on drums. Norwegian saxophonist Bjorn Ole Solberg was featured on San Song. Ngqawana recorded his third album, Ingoma, in South Africa with his band. ~ by Craig Harris

Greatest Moments

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Joseph Leo Bwarie - Nothin' But Love

Size: 118,3 MB
Time: 50:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz: Vocals, Swing, Big Band
Art: Front

01. Old Devil Moon (3:02)
02. Stand By Me (4:24)
03. If I Had You (4:44)
04. Frenesi (Featuring Bucky Pizzarelli) (3:20)
05. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (3:47)
06. A Lot Of Livin' To Do (3:28)
07. I've Never Been In Love Before (4:15)
08. Night And Day (3:26)
09. When The Sun Comes Out (3:37)
10. Umbrella A Fella With An Umbrella (Medley) (5:03)
11. What'll I Do (Featuring Bucky Pizzarelli) (4:27)
12. Falling In Love With Love (3:14)
13. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (3:57)

Joseph Leo Bwarie's debut solo album Nothin' But Love is the result of a dynamic collaboration with legendary arranger and producer Charles Calello. Via an inspired grassroots campaign and a fast-growing fan following, Bwarie is increasingly gaining popularity in the jazz music scene. His music resonates with all generations proving refreshing, appealing and wonderfully timeless. Though an LA native, Bwarie's Nothin' But Love is already playing across the globe, quickly defining him as a new voice with a stunning take on the iconic and infections Capitol Records sound. With glowing reviews in multiple publications and a building momentum in the public eye with interest, airplay and online play in Europe, Asia, South America, the US and Canada, Nothin' But Love is destined to become a modern classic. Influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Julie London, Chet Baker, Mel Torme, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra plus the spectacular sound produced by Nelson Riddle, Don Costa and Billy Mays, a highlight for Bwarie was performing in-studio with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli and world-renowned Brazilian percussionist Paulinho da Costa.

Bwarie's creamy, dreamy, silky vocal style is pure perfection. --Arts Beat LA

The clarity of Bwarie's voice is pure and flawless, captivating the listener and invites them to experience something we haven't heard from singers in decades: honest, heartfelt and romantic songs. --Jazz Times

Nothin' But Love

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Sonny Black - Heart And Soul

Size: 105,2 MB
Time: 45:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2000/2015
Styles: Blues, Blues Jazz
Art: Front

01. Checkin' In (3:21)
02. Blues Is King (5:55)
03. Bluesology (4:40)
04. Kelly's Blues (3:49)
05. Rockin' With Bill (1:59)
06. Blues Walkin' By My Side (6:17)
07. Raggin' The Strings (1:20)
08. If I Ever Get To Heaven (3:56)
09. Would I Be Right (4:37)
10. Through Heaven's Eyes (5:00)
11. Grant's Groove (4:26)

b. William Boazman, England. Although separated by time and space from the roots of the blues, Black’s work, both as performer and as songwriter, is very much in the classic tradition. A strong guitarist and singer, Black led his Blues Band until the mid-90s when part of the group broke away to form the Mighty 45s. Black’s new band, the Dukes, quickly found favour with UK blues fans. He attracted critical acclaim for his second album, 2001’s Heart And Soul, not only in the UK, where Blues In Britain magazine considered it to be the Album Of The Year, but also in the USA. Readers of Blues In Britain also reacted favourably to Black and in 2002 voted him Best UK Blues Guitarist. Also in the early 00s, Black was voted Best Guitarist in the British Blues Connection Awards and received comparable recognition in magazines and on radio. Musicians who have played in Black’s bands over the years include Daniel Smith (keyboards/vocals), Dino Coccia (saxophone/drums) and Alan Glen (harmonica). In Black’s regular band of the early 00s were Bob Haddrell (keyboards), who also leads the Barcodes, George Pearson (bass/vocals) and Damon Sawyer (drums), with Lee Badau (saxophone) also making appearances.

Heart And Soul

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Richard Galliano & Sylvain Luc - La Vie En Rose: Rencontres Avec Edith Piaf Et Gus Viseur

Size: 116,7 MB
Time: 49:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Douce Joie (3:31)
02. L'Accordeoniste (2:56)
03. Les Amants D'Un Jour (3:28)
04. La Chanson Des Forains (3:05)
05. Flambee Montalbanaise (2:38)
06. La Foule (3:07)
07. La Goualante Du Pauvre Jean (2:40)
08. L'Hymne A L'Amour (4:23)
09. Je M'En Fous Pas Mal (3:36)
10. La Vie En Rose (1:46)
11. Je Ne Regrette Rien/Passage (3:45)
12. Jeannette (2:56)
13. Mon Dieu/Aria (2:57)
14. Paris (2:42)
15. Sous Le Ciel De Paris/Je N'en Connais Pas La Fin (2:56)
16. Swing Valse (2:45)

Richard Galliano, one of the greatest accordionists of the modern era, and unimpeachable jazz guitarist Sylvain Luc collaborated in the ’90s before going their separate musical ways. The two musicians now reunite their talents for this duo project dedicated to the grande dame of French chanson. The result is a virtuoso jewel, showcasing and reawakening the freshness of the Piaf repertoire in this, the 100th anniversary of her birth.

La Vie En Rose

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The Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Why Am I Treated So Bad!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 61:05

Size: 139.8 MB

Styles: Hard bop, Soul jazz

Year: 2006/2011

Art: Front

[ 0:13] 1. Introduction

[ 6:41] 2. Mini Mama

[ 7:49] 3. I'm On My Way

[ 7:48] 4. Why Am I Treated So Bad!

[ 5:16] 5. One For Newk

[ 2:22] 6. Yvette

[ 9:04] 7. The Other Side

[ 2:40] 8. The Scene

[ 7:00] 9. Heads Up! Feet Down

[12:08] 10. The Girl Next Door

By any stretch of the imagination, it would have been hard for Cannonball Adderley to follow up the stunning Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! with anything quite as strong or inspired. This set follows the exact same m.o. Producer David Axelrod invited a group of friends into the Capitol studios, supplied them with free booze, warmed them up, and brought out the band (the same lineup: bassist Victor Gaskin, drummer Ron McCurdy, pianist Joe Zawinul, cornetist Nat Adderley, and Cannonball on alto) to tear into a group of covers and originals. The better moments here include the Latin-tinged "I'm on My Way" (written by Nat and featuring a beautifully lyrical solo by him) and a cool little read of the Pops Staples tune the album is titled for (featuring a killer little Rhodes piano part by Zawinul with a mournful dual head by Cannonball and Nat). The other hard groover is Nat's "The Other Side," which takes the outside track in Cannonball's solo. Zawinul's tunes are starkly more original in contrast -- particularly "One for Newk" -- but sound less inspired somehow. The CD version issued by Capitol in 2006 contains two bonus tracks with workmanlike versions of Jimmy Heath's fine "Heads Up! Feet Down!" and an overly long take on the Blane-Martin standard "The Girl Next Door." The album doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, but it is a burner and Adderley fans are likely to want to own it. ~Thom Jurek

Why Am I Treated So Bad

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Sara Caswell - But Beautiful

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:53
Size: 137.1 MB
Styles: Post bop, Violin jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:29] 1. The Way You Look Tonight
[6:01] 2. Moon And Sand
[5:39] 3. But Beautiful
[4:31] 4. Professor Abc
[5:16] 5. Black Nile
[4:37] 6. And So It Goes
[4:37] 7. Sometime Ago
[4:52] 8. Receipt Please
[4:20] 9. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
[5:18] 10. Bye Bye Blackbird
[4:45] 11. Straight No Chaser
[4:20] 12. Shenandoah

Jazz violinists are a rare breed, and female jazz violinist are, well, an even rarer one. The rarity of the species, then, makes a new album by violinist Sara Caswell even more welcome. But Beautiful features Caswell, pianist Lynne Arriale, bassists Larry Kohut and Jeremy Allen, and drummer Steve Davis on a varied set list of standards along with a few surprises. The album begins in a mellow, almost classical mode, seguing from "The Way You Look Tonight" to "Moon and Sand" to the title track. Caswell's technique is pristine here, but perhaps too careful, and one longs for a bit of careless excitement. But Beautiful takes an interesting detour on Wayne Shorter's "Black Nile," a piece with fun tempo shifts and, during the slower passages, a dark undercurrent. A similar deviation takes place on Thelonious Monk's "Straight, No Chaser," with Caswell offering something like a free jazz interpretation. Caswell's sister Rachel joins the band for vocals on Billy Joel's "And So It Goes," Ron Carter's "Receipt Please," and "Shenandoah." The most exciting of these is her scat workout on "Receipt Please," and how her tone nearly matches her sister's violin. But Beautiful is a solid album, and although it may have benefited from more challenging material, it will nonetheless be warmly greeted by jazz violin lovers. ~Ronnie D. Lankford Jr

But Beautiful

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Bobby Durham's Trio - Tribute To My Friend Bobby Timmons

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:53
Size: 73.0 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[6:32] 1. Dat Dere
[4:36] 2. Gettin' Togheter
[5:24] 3. Popsy
[3:26] 4. Blues For Evelyn
[5:00] 5. This Here
[6:53] 6. Moanin'

Part of the enormous Philadelphia family tree of jazz players, Bobby Durham has amassed a long list of impressive jazz credits while alternating residencies between Italy and his hometown. He is perhaps best known as a member of several of the virtuoso pianist Oscar Peterson's classic trios from the '50s and as one of the great jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald's most sensitive accompanists, although jazz fans that are into the smoking organ trio sound will know Durham from his associations with the likes of turbaned Charles Earland or the innovative organist Shirley Scott. Durham is a personal favorite of jazz producer Norman Granz, who has turned to Durham again and again for help with his projects involving the likes of Fitzgerald and Basie as well as using Durham as the rhythm section drummer for jam session encounters with the likes of pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Joe Pass, and trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, among many. ~Eugene Chadbourne

Tribute To My Friend Bobby Timmons

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Sarah Eyden - Once In a Lifetime

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:59
Size: 99,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. Get Happy
(3:00)  2. You’d Be Surprised
(3:02)  3. This Dream
(4:37)  4. The Man That Got Away
(3:03)  5. Sweet Danger
(1:15)  6. Just You, Just Me
(3:19)  7. Whatever Lola Wants
(2:21)  8. Satin Doll
(2:59)  9. Just In Time
(2:05) 10. A Lot Of Livi’n To Do
(3:33) 11. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
(2:37) 12. Comes Once In A Lifetime
(4:47) 13. Makin’ Whoopee
(3:05) 14. It Never Was You

Sarah is a versatile concert and recording artist who has performed with leading orchestras worldwide. From The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops Orchestra. She trained at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she studied classical singing and is at home singing a light classical repertoire. She also enjoys Jazz as she studied a postgraudate jazz and arranging course also at The Guildhall. 

She has performed in the UK with the major orchestras and with The Syd Lawrence Orchestra, and recorded her debut Big Band album with members of the BBC Big Band in 2006. Her versatility in the recording studio has meant she has sung on many album recordings for artists such as Bjork, Tony Bennett, Elton John, Seal, Lesley Garrett and Goldfrapp. http://www.saraheyden.com/eng/home

Personnel:  Sarah Eyden – vocals; Howard MacGill - saxophones, clarinet, flute;  Mike Lovatt– trumpets; Andy Wood – trombones; Andrew Vinter – piano; Rutledge Turnlund – bass; Allan Cox – drums; John Parricelli – guitar; Fergus Gerrand – percussion; Gerry Berkley – timpani; Michael Dore - male vocals; Charlie Baker - special guest vocalist

Once In a Lifetime

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Zoot Sims & Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - The Tenor Giants Featuring Oscar Peterson

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:47
Size: 132,4 MB
Art: Front

(10:42)  1. The Man I Love
( 2:51)  2. My Old Flame
( 3:13)  3. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
( 8:19)  4. There Will Never Be Another You
( 5:34)  5. (I Don't Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance
( 9:05)  6. Tangerine
( 7:34)  7. Out of Nowhere
(10:24)  8. Groovin' High

Pairing Zoot Sims and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis together on stage was an inspired idea, because each of the two tenor saxophonists approach the instrument differently. This CD contains highlights from six concerts during a 1975 tour of Europe, and none have been previously released. The rhythm section is a great one, with Oscar Peterson, Niels Pedersen, and Louis Bellson providing plenty of fuel for the featured soloists. A furious take of "The Man I Love" starts things off in high gear, as Sims' softer solo precedes a hard blowing effort by Davis, as well as some choice licks at the keyboard by Peterson. Both horn players are masterful ballad interpreters as well, as heard on "(I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance," with Sims achieving a somewhat darker tone and Davis incorporating some effective slurs into his solo. The remaining tracks are every bit as enjoyable, so this CD is highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/tenor-giants-featuring-oscar-peterson-mw0000118492

Personnel: Zoot Sims, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis (tenor saxophone); Oscar Peterson (piano); Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass); Louis Bellson (drums).

The Tenor Giants Featuring Oscar Peterson

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Sonny Criss - This Is Criss!

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:15
Size: 92,9 MB
Art: Front

(7:52)  1. Black Coffee
(3:20)  2. Days Of Wine And Roses
(5:42)  3. When Sunny Gets Blue
(2:28)  4. Greasy
(2:52)  5. Sunrise, Sunset
(6:23)  6. Steve's Blues
(5:10)  7. Skylark
(6:25)  8. Love For Sale

Along with tenor saxophonist Harold Land, altoist Sonny Criss qualifies as one of the most overlooked giants of West Coast jazz. His sound  like most alto players of the bebop and hard bop days -- was heavily influenced by Charlie Parker, but Criss still managed to forge an original style featuring a very original melodic bent with loads of bluesy underpinnings. The goods can be optimally previewed on this great Prestige date from 1966. Backed by a trio consisting of pianist Walter Davis, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Alan Dawson, Criss makes fine work of such rare-bird covers as "Sunrise, Sunset" and "When Sunny Gets Blue." There are also some fine originals here, including Criss' own "Steve's Blues" and Davis' classic "Greasy." A perfect start to your Criss collection. ~ Stephen Cook  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/this-is-criss!-mw0000203394

Personnel: Sonny Criss (alto saxophone); Walter Davis (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Alan Dawson (drums).

This Is Criss!

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Meschiya Lake & The Little Big Horns - Foolers' Gold

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:02
Size: 123.7 MB
Styles: New Orleans jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:11] 1. Catch Em Young
[4:28] 2. Don't Start With Me
[4:15] 3. My Man
[3:30] 4. It's The Rhythm In Me
[2:48] 5. I'll Wait For You
[5:30] 6. Midnight On The Bayou
[3:38] 7. Foolers' Gold
[4:28] 8. Young Woman's Blues
[4:58] 9. Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
[3:42] 10. Organ Grinder
[3:29] 11. Miss Otis Regrets
[3:30] 12. The Fragrance Of Your Charms
[2:58] 13. Do Right
[3:31] 14. I Believe In Music

U.K. reviewer Allan Wilkinson wrote of the album, “a couple of self-penned numbers from Lake...just go to prove, along with the rest of this gem of a record, that no flood nor new century can subdue the spirit of New Orleans.” Her sophomore effort with the Little Big Horns, Foolers Gold was released in September of 2013. It mixes the extraordinary traditional jazz mastery she demonstrated on Lucky Devil with a bold, contemporary sensibility all her own. Foolers Gold promises to once again evoke the words of Dan Baum when he wrote in the New Yorker: “Meschiya Lake rocks back on her heels, lifts her chest, and opens her throat like an air raid siren to croon in a thrilling pre-microphone style that...can make you feel by turns as though you were shivering around a campfire in a railroad yard or drinking in a Budapest nightclub in 1938."

Foolers' Gold

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The Ray Bryant Trio - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:01
Size: 80.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Soul jazz
Year: 1957/1993
Art: Front

[4:50] 1. Golden Earrings
[3:19] 2. Angel Eyes
[4:59] 3. Blues Changes
[4:34] 4. Splittin'
[5:02] 5. Django
[4:51] 6. The Thrill Is Gone
[4:00] 7. Daahoud
[3:22] 8. Sonar

Pianist Ray Bryant solidified his reputation with this outstanding 1957 trio release. It displayed his facility with the blues, speed, gospel influence, and interpretive abilities on such songs as John Lewis' "Django" and Clifford Brown's "Daahoud." It also contained Bryant's funky originals "Splittin" and "Blues Changes," and was punctuated by Ike Isaacs' careful bass work and Specs Wright's loose, in the groove drumming. This set has recently been reissued by Fantasy, and the remastering provides a fine sonic framework for Bryant's heady, unpredictable, and often exciting playing. ~Ron Wynn

The Ray Bryant Trio

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Jeanie Bryson - Tonight I Need You So

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:07
Size: 142,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:22)  1. Simple Song
(5:19)  2. Honeysuckle Rose
(4:22)  3. Tonight I need You So
(5:20)  4. Willow Weep For Me
(5:43)  5. I Don't Want To Fall
(5:08)  6. Moonlight in Vermont
(6:58)  7. Two-Hump Ride
(6:02)  8. The Face I Love
(5:08)  9. Solamente Tu
(4:29) 10. What Can A Miracle Do?
(3:02) 11. Too Thy To Say
(6:09) 12. Skydive

Bryson's soft warm voice at times recalls Maxine Sullivan and on "Solamente Tu" she comes very close to the fragility of Astrud Gilberto. There are a few memorable selections on her second Telarc disc, most notably the exuberant "Simple Song" (which has some jubilant playing from altoist Paquito D'Rivera), a sensuous "Honeysuckle Rose" and a fine version of "Skydive." Unfortunately the set also has an excess of forgettable poppish material that weighs down the content somewhat. However Bryson mostly overcomes the material and her likable and easygoing style compensates. This release is not essential but is enjoyable. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/tonight-i-need-you-so-mw0000114090

Personnel: Jeanie Bryson (vocals); Don Braden (tenor saxophone); Paquito D'Rivera (alto saxophone); Claudio Roditi (trumpet); Jay Ashby (trombone); Ted Brancato, Danilo Perez (piano); Vic Juris (guitar); Christian McBride (acoustic bass); Ron Davis, Ignacio Berroa (drums); Rudy Byrd (percussion).

Tonight I Need You So

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Jan Lundgren - Cooking! At The Jazz Bakery CD 1 And CD 2

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:56 (CD 1)
Size: 117,4 MB (CD 1)
Time: 49:09 (CD 2)
Size: 113,2 MB (CD 2)
Art: Front

CD 1
(0:33)  1. Introduction
(4:02)  2. Our Delight
(4:46)  3. Bruz
(4:13)  4. Social Call
(4:39)  5. Little Niles
(5:46)  6. Nica's Tempo
(5:15)  7. Early Autumn
(5:48)  8. Bohemia Ater Dark
(4:32)  9. Milestones
(5:41) 10. Webb City
(5:36) 11. Four

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CD 2
(5:52)  1. Hot House
(4:27)  2. On a Misty Night
(4:51)  3. Lady Bird
(5:06)  4. If You Could See Me Now
(5:02)  5. Sister Sadie
(5:03)  6. Relaxin' at Camarillo
(5:02)  7. Confirmation
(5:06)  8. Groovin' High
(6:54)  9. Moanin'
(1:41) 10. Varmlandsvisan

A talented Swedish pianist, Jan Lundgren has on various occasions showed that he is quite versatile. On this two CD set, Lundgren sticks to bebop, playing in a style influenced by Bud Powell but filled with his own individual approach. Recorded live at Los Angeles' famed Jazz Bakery in a trio with bassist Chuck Berghofer and drummer Joe La Barbera, the 20 selections were all performed on the same night. Despite being first takes, there are no obvious missteps and the music is quite impeccable. Lundgren revives a variety of bop-oriented songs (mostly from the 1940s and '50s and ranging from Tadd Dameron to Randy Weston and Horace Silver), swings hard, and never runs out of melodic ideas. It is a particularly impressive outing and one of Jan Lundgren's finest recordings to date. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/cooking-at-the-jazz-bakery-mw0000046454

Personnel: Jan Lundgren (piano); Joe La Barbera (drums).

Cooking! At The Jazz Bakery CD 1

Cooking! At The Jazz Bakery CD 2

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Zoot Sims With Scott Hamilton - It Had To Be You

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:45
Size: 155,2 MB
Art: Front

(10:44)  1. It Had To Be You
(10:25)  2. Gone With the Wind
(10:48)  3. Indiana
( 7:06)  4. Easy Living
( 9:56)  5. Sunday
(10:38)  6. Broadway
( 8:04)  7. Just You, Just Me

Recorded four months before his death and three days after what was thought to have been his final recording, this jam-session CD is notable not only as the last Zoot Sims record but the only one to team him with fellow tenor Scott Hamilton. Since Zoot was one of Hamilton's idols, the Swedish concert was a happy affair. Joined by pianist Claes Crona, bassist Arne Wilhelmsson, and drummer Per Hulten, the two tenors battle it out (with mutual respect) on lengthy versions of such standards as "Gone With the Wind," "Indiana," "Sunday," and "Just You, Just Me." A historic encounter that lives up to expectations and shows that Zoot Sims never did decline. 

~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/it-had-to-be-you-mw0000446416

Personnel: Zoot Sims, tenor sax; Scott Hamilton, tenor sax; Claes Crona, piano; Arne Wilhelmsson, bass; Per Hultén, drums

It Had To Be You

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Junko Onishi - Baroque

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:48
Size: 171,7 MB
Art: Front

( 9:04)  1. Tutti
( 5:51)  2. The Mother's (Where Johnny Is)
(19:41)  3. The Threepenny Opera
( 4:47)  4. Stardust
(10:45)  5. Meditations for a Pair of Wire Cutters
( 9:48)  6. Flamingo
(10:24)  7. The Street Beat/52nd Street Theme
( 4:26)  8. Memories of You

The world has been a slightly less happy place since Junko Onishi's last record. After establishing herself as one of the finest young jazz pianists around with her debut, Wow (EMI, 1993), Onishi released a string of fine Blue Note recordings: Live At The Village Vanguard Volume 1 and Volume 2 (both 1994); the superb Cruisin' (1994), featuring her majestic "Eulogia"; and Piano Quintet Suite (1995).

With Fragile (Blue Note, 1999) a virtual rock covers album that took on Jimi Hendrix, Cream and The Righteous Brothers Onishi's recorded output all but vanished in the U.S., while the pianist reportedly released a number of CDs in Japan. Now on Verve, Onishi is back with another unpredictable but typically excellent effort. A more lavish-sounding record than the rock n' raw Fragile, Baroque gives Onishi the opportunity to showcase her formidable compositional and arranging skills. Working with durable and longtime band members Rodney Whitaker and Reginald Veal, (bass), Wycliffe Gordon (trombone), and fellow former Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra band mate Herlin Riley (drums) along with stellar guests Nicholas Payton (trumpet) and woodwind/reed phenom James Carter Baroque is Onishi's show, yet every musician shines brightly. Riley and Gordon solo engagingly in avant-garde fashion on the album's obvious highlight, "The Three Penny Opera," which, according to the liners, features a piano solo based a musical score by Onishi's mentor and friend, the great Jaki Byard. This Onishi original is both a surprise and a revelation, with all the musicians allowed to stretch more than on her previous recordings. 

As evidenced by the album's opener, "Tutti," Onishi's style has now allowed for a more improvisational approach. In some of her earlier records, her classical training sometimes kept things rather tight. But on numbers like bassist Charles Mingus' notoriously difficult "Meditations for a Pair of Wire Cutters," the pianist seems to have taken a page from the composer's book, allowing her seasoned fellow musicians room to interpret more freely. Onishi gives herself two beautiful unaccompanied piano showcases on Baroque: Hoagy Carmichael's "Stardust" and Eubie Blake's "Memories of You." Both are fresh takes, technically impressive, and inventive without fussiness. Baroque's expansiveness and variety make for what could be Onishi's most purely entertaining CD to date. ~ Keith Henry Brown  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/baroque-junko-onishi-verve-music-group-review-by-keith-henry-brown.php

Personnel: Junko Onishi : piano; Rodney Whitaker: bass; Reginald Veal: bass; Wycliffe Gordon: trombone; Herlin Riley: drums; Nicholas Payton: trumpet; James Carter: tenor and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, flute; Roland Guerrero: congas.

Baroque

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